2015 was her year.

From showing off her incredible voice and dance moves as Empire’s Tiana, to a role in Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” video, there’s no doubt that Serayah has been having one of the best years ever.

The 20-year-old actress hasn’t been gracing our screen quite as much as we’d like during the first half of the new season, but every time she does, we’re in awe of her flawless curls and stunning skin.

We caught up with her at Sephora’s Powell Street reopening in San Francisco (an interactive beauty workshop concept store) and got the low down on everything from her favorite curly girl products to what it’s really like to be part of that squad.

Check out what she had to say below and check her out later tonight on the mid-season finale of Empire.

Teen Vogue: What are your go-to curly hair products?Serayah McNeill: I always go for Miss Jessie’s. I can just get it at Target whenever I run out. Good thing, they just sent me a lot of stuff, so I was like, ‘Thank you so much!’ I love DevaCurl. I’m also in love with Pantene conditioners. Their conditioners are creamy and have a lot of slip, because for curly girls it’s all about detangling. We need a lot of slip in the conditioner. I usually detangle with my fingers, or I’ll use a paddle brush.

TV: What’s it like to be part of Taylor Swift’s squad?SM: It’s amazing. I think it’s really cool. What’s cooler than how it looks is that the girls are really down-to-earth and you could really have an awesome, authentic time with them.

TV: What are your skincare secrets? Do you follow a specific routine?SM: My thing is, I use Dove soap. I have very sensitive skin. I love Dove or Cetaphil. And I always make sure I exfoliate. I use St. Ives From Target!

TV: What is the one makeup product you can’t live without?SM: My Nars concealer. That concealer is everything. It’s a good light brightener and it works for my discoloration, too. It sits so perfectly on my skin and you don’t have to touch it up at all.

TV: Have you learned any beauty tips or tricks on set? If so, what are they?SM: I learned that prepping skin is very important. They use a lot of rosewater sprays and heavy moisturizer on me before they do my makeup. That makes my makeup stay so much longer and it makes it nice and smooth. It’s a great foundation for your makeup.

TV: What would you tell girls who struggle with confidence issues?SM: I would say that, especially for now with social media…We already have confidence issues, and now we have social media, so I feel like it’s worse. I would say that try new things, try things that work for you. Find out what works for you. A lot of looks or trends are good for certain people, but they might not look the same on you. Don’t be discouraged.

TV: What do you love most about your natural hair? SM: The fact that it’s a carefree look. It’s okay if it doesn’t look a certain way.

TV: You’ve said that your curly hair has been one of your insecurities. Why is that? How did you overcome those insecurities?SM: When I was growing up, my hair was so big and curly and frizzy, that comes with curly hair. I didn’t like how big it was. I wanted it to be straight, manageable and free-flowing. I didn’t want to do anything when I woke up. That was my main thing. Being on Empire has forced me to like it. That’s how I have to wear my hair a lot now. I would say to love what you have. I’ve dyed it, processed it, cut it off so many times. Now, I’m like, I want my hair back. You always want your hair back. Just own it!

TV: What’s one beauty move you’d never make?SM: I hate my face really matte. I love highlighter or dewy. My features are too soft for matte!

TV: What’s the most daring beauty look you’ve ever tried?SM: When I was in 10th grade I did blue lips. I was in the mall with my aunt and my mom putting on different lipsticks and I was like, “oh blue! I’m going to be so different.’ And I have a picture, when I look back, I’m like, ‘Whoa, girl!’ Now it’s a trend!